Making Unforgettable Happen for the Girls at SUSWA
15 May 2024
Our brilliant event photographer Ben, shared an initiative with us that he has been involved with and supported since 2012. Knowing about our fund, he suggested we consider making unforgettable happen for the girls at SUSWA.
ABOUT SUSWA SOILA GIRLS RESCUE CENTRE (SUSWA)
Suswa Soila Girls Rescue Centre (SUSWA) was established in 2005 in the heart of the Rift Valley in Kenya. The project is a refuge and educational facility for Maasai girls at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early arranged marriage. Unfortunately this is still common practice and tradition in the Maasai community of Kenya.
SUSWA provides these girls with a safe environment to live and receive a high quality education as an alternative path in life to FGM and early marriage. Instead, they receive the chance to empower and change their lives and those of generations to come. The project has grown significantly over the years and in 2023 supported 127 girls aged between 7 and 15 at Suswa. The older girls have moved on to High School and University.
WHY IS SUSWA IMPORTANT TO BEN?
“I first went out to visit Kenya Childrens Home in 2012 and it was a really pivotal and life changing moment for me. I only volunteered there for a couple of days but instantly fell in love with all of the beautiful kids there and was totally taken aback by the love and support they received from all the amazing staff and volunteers there.
When I returned to the UK, I knew I had to do something to support them. So I decided to give a % of every photography booking I get towards the nutrition, education and wellbeing of these amazing kids. I’m proud to have done that since my first visit and am looking forward to supporting them going forward. I’ve been over a couple of times since to photograph their marketing and social media images, although that is a lot tougher since having kids of my own!“
If you wish to support this amazing cause, check out their website at https://www.kenyachildrenshomes.org.uk/
HOW WE HELPED WITH SPORTS EQUIPMENT:
We worked with the SUSWA team to find out what is important to the girls and learned that they were in need of new sports equipment. They hoped it would be a huge boost to the girls and make them very happy. Here is the message we received from Kenya….
“The idea of this donation will have a lot of impact to the girls at Suswa in ways that we cannot imagine at this point. Engaging in sports not only promotes physical fitness but will also instil valuable life skills such as team work, leadership and discipline. Access to sports will also give them an opportunity to explore their interests and talents and who knows maybe some will form a career out of it.”
Taking a look at the first pictures we received, it looks like the girls are already taking full advantage of their new equipment! We look forward to checking in with them soon.
WANT TO HELP US MAKE UNFORGETTABLE HAPPEN?
If you have a project you’re passionate about or know an initiative you’d like to see supported, then please get in touch via marketing@aokevents.com or fill out the form here.